Comforting those Dealing with the Suicide of a Loved One.

Psalm 139:1-2, “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.”

I recently heard the unfortunate news of a friend’s loved one passing due to a suicidal death. The word suicide defines the intentional act of taking one’s own life. While in these times of crises the automatic reaction is to try and console your friend and let them know that their loved one is in a better place. But what about a Christian, one who knows that God does not tolerate sin or disobedience? We all know that intentionally taking a life is a sin and punishable unto death, but what about a redeemed believer who does the same?

The Bible records many suicides in its scriptures as in Judas, Matthew 27:5, Zimri in 1 Kings 16:18, Samson in Judges 16:29-31 to name a few. The case can be argued for Samson who was doing the Lord’s work and sacrificed his life to show his honor. These unfortunate individuals took their lives based on many factors such as guilt and ended their existence. Now while these events (with the exception of Samson) I believe will be judged in accordance to their disobedience. Samson showed favor to God and for that I trust He will be rewarded with entry into Paradise.

Though suicide is a horrible act, I do not believe that born again Christians who commits suicide will be condemned. John 10:28 states, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall NEVER perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” All sin is covered by grace as long as we are in Christ and remain. Romans 8:38-39 also reads, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In being baptized in the Blood of Christ the unlawful becomes lawful. The Apostle Paul spoke of the grace of God through Jesus giving Christians a safety net for and when we do fall into sin. 1 Corinthians 6:12, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” Under the Blood all things are good but not expedite for our Christian lifestyle, which may lead to sin and death in this natural life but not separation from God. The Lord knows our heart, and I believe that all sinful actions made are not good, it will not cost us total separation from God.

A large portion of suicides today have to do with mental illnesses as well. If one is not capable of truly being saved by grace in Jesus Christ, I trust God will not condemn them. As their reasoning is no longer that of their true self. A case of this is recorded in 1 Samuel 31:3-6, “The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.”But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it. And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him. So Saul, his three sons, his armorbearer, and all his men died together that same day.”

We can see in the case of the irrational behavior of King Saul ending his life. This can be related to PTSD and other mental disorders that many people deal with in our society. As Christian believers we are not perfect by a long shot. The blood of Jesus will see us through any situation, which in this life may cost us and our loved ones dearly, but will never take away His love from us. Shalom…